Yoga therapy is one of the most powerful tools we can use to improve our physical, mental, and emotional health. You may be wondering if yoga therapy is a combination of yoga and, well, talk therapy. You’re not alone! So many people either don’t know anything about yoga therapy or have never even heard of it! As a certified Yoga Therapist, I want to teach you exactly what yoga therapy is and about its amazing benefits.

What is yoga therapy?

The International Association of Yoga Therapy describes this practice as “the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the application of the teachings and practices of yoga” (IAYT). Yoga therapy uses yoga postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and guided imagery to improve mental and physical health. And it works...

A study from 2019 showed that after just six months of yoga therapy, anxiety, fatigue, and depression all significantly decreased for those who participated. It’s important to remember that these results came specifically from yoga therapy, not traditional yoga.

Yoga therapy is not yoga! While yoga therapy and yoga are similar, there’s key differences between the two.

Yoga prioritizes reducing stress, self-awareness, and overall well-being with pranayama (breath control), asana (physical postures), and meditation. These practices work wonders for spiritual growth, mental clarity, and physical health. 

Yoga therapy takes the foundations of yoga combined with therapeutic techniques to address specific injuries, pain, or other concerns like mental and emotional health. A certified Yoga Therapist works with clients on either an individual basis or in small groups to personalize each session.

What conditions can yoga therapy help with?

Yoga therapists are trained to assist individuals with a range of conditions including anxiety, PTSD, trauma, depression, addiction, obesity, autoimmune diseases, heart disease, back pain, and more, including being a form of cancer support, all by utilizing tailored yoga practices to improve their overall well-being and support healing.

Here are some of my favorite benefits of yoga therapy:

• Relief from past/current injury (it’s also a great way to stay injury-free!)

• Reduced anxiety and depression

• Improved posture and spinal mobility

• Increased bone density

• Enhanced flexibility and improved balance

• Freedom and comfort within your physical body

• Restored mind-body connection and improved overall well-being

How is yoga therapy different from physical therapy?

I remember when I first got certified as a Yoga Therapist, my mom told people I was a physical therapist, and I often had to correct her (🤣). Yoga therapy and physical therapy are both approaches aimed at promoting health and well-being, but they differ in their methodologies and underlying principles. 

Physical therapy primarily focuses on diagnosing and rehabilitating specific physical conditions, injuries, or impairments. It often involves exercises, stretches, and manual techniques to improve physical function and reduce pain. 

Yoga therapy, on the other hand, takes a more holistic approach, considering the integration of the body, mind, and spirit. It aims to address not only physical symptoms but also mental and emotional aspects of health.

If a client has low back pain, a physical therapist will rehabilitate the injury with specific exercises, stretches, and strength training for the glutes. Unless a physical therapist works at an integrative practice, yoga and Pilates are not included during a client’s rehab.

However, a Yoga Therapist looks at the body as a whole. Sometimes, back pain isn’t just back pain—there could be an emotional component, stress or anxiety causing physical issues. During a yoga therapy session, I’ll ask clients questions to get a broader understanding of the injury and discuss the level of pain: What’s your day to day like? Is there anything causing you significant stress? Is your work affected by your injury?

Once I have a better understanding of what is going on, we may start with some yoga poses to alleviate any pain as well as breath techniques and writing exercises (such as journaling) to help ease the non-physical aspects of the injury. 

What happens during yoga therapy?

During a typical yoga therapy session, there is some talking…but let’s not get that confused with talk therapy. 

If it’s your first session, there is an intake that happens, much like any consultation. As a Yoga Therapist, I ask a lot of questions so I can understand how to help you. It is common for this portion of the session to be conversational. You can ask as many questions as you want so you can truly comprehend my approach and what’s going on internally with your body.

Next, depending on what the client needs, we may begin with postures (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama), relaxation techniques or some self-care practices (Ayurveda). Finally, there is usually homework given so you can continue to work on what you learned during your session.

I’m interested in a yoga therapy session. How do I start?

If you are brand new to wel•lam or movement, let’s find out if this is the right program for you! Schedule a complimentary connection call with us HERE!

With love,

Lia